COLFAX – A tough third quarter cost the Montezuma JV boys in what overall was a solid effort against Colfax-Mingo on Monday, Dec. 2.
Colfax-Mingo won, 45-40. The Braves led 27-20 at halftime, but were outscored 18-2 by the host team in the third period. The Braves made a run in the fourth, but couldn’t catch up.
“We came out ready to play and started off really well,” said Braves JV Coach Cal Smith. “The offense was doing well driving to the basket and finishing shots, and the defense was solid. And, we did a good job boxing out and gettng rebounds.”
“Toward the end of the first half, I believe we were too complacent and too comfortable with our lead,” Smith said. “Colfax-Mingo did a good job competing, and we had to play catch-up at the end of the game.”
Gavin Strong led Montezuma with 10 points. Cameron Johnson, Maguire DeJong and Colton Benson each scored eight, and Connor Van Zee put in six points.
Strong and Van Zee each grabbed five rebounds, while DeJong and Benson each had four.
Colfax-Mingo had a 32-27 edge on the boards. Each side made eight turnovers. Colfax-Mingo shot better from the floor, .341, to Montezuma’s .289.
The Braves went 14-for-15 from the free throw line.
“The main thing to work on is playing a full game and competing to the end,” Smith said.
“We also need to work on walling off defenders to they do not get an easy lane to the basket. And,” said the coach, “we need to work on running the offense and attacking the hoop.”